May 01, 2010

Trends Autumn/Winter '09-'10: Coats

This winter designers coloured within the lines and mostly went with classic, discreetly luxurious and perfectly cut coats which never go out of style. The coat silhouette this season mainly offers belted options,

but if belting your coat just bunches you up, or you prefer a looser line, then cocoon coats and blanket coats are stylish options.

Coats were shown in rich fabrics such as cashmere, velvet, brocade and butter soft leather.

With over sized collars, crewnecks and surprising ruffles.

I was happy to see that the trench coat is still a must have staple and MaxMara and Burberry did them in bright colours. Burberry went a little further and strengthened the shoulders and gave it a more feminine feel.

Enter also the boyfriend coat, a natural extension of the boyfriend blazer. Man-style coats were also visible on the runways. Animal print, fur-trim and all out fur are also back on coats.

Military and double-breasted coats are still the rage and have now grown longer in length.

For something a little more dramatic then tweed and graphic houndstooth check are perennial favorites this winter. The country-classic coats are reworked into new dramatic shapes with bold shoulders and necklines in short and below-the-knee lengths.

Nipped-in waistlines and billowy bottom-halves and swing A-line coats were also popular on the catwalk. The exposed zipper trend also made an appearance in coats (Frankie Morello).

For the most sensible investment, a classic camel coat is the best way to go this winter. For an on-trend piece go for overstated shoulders. If camel is not your thing, think tan, caramel brown, chocolate or deeply rich rust as well as cream and blush tones.

Although the basic coat colour palette was muted this season, some designers like Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and MaxMara showed a little vibrant colour in their ranges.